US passes BUILD Act for Africa; World's largest fish market in Japan closes
(Baonghean.vn) - In the past 24 hours, many events have taken place in the world such as: EU believes in reaching a Brexit agreement by the end of 2018; US passes BUILD Act to promote interests in Africa; The world's largest fish market in Japan closes after 83 years of operation; Interpol asks China to provide information about President Meng Hongwei...
US Secretary of State arrives in Japan, preparing for second summit with North Korea
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| Secretary of State Pompeo (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on October 6. (Source: AP) |
Pompeo's diplomatic tour of Asian countries comes as US President Donald Trump is seeking to arrange a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, after the two met in Singapore in June.
Tokyo is the first stop on his three-day tour of East Asia. After talks with leader Kim Jong Un, Pompeo will travel to South Korea and China.
Interpol asks China for information on President Meng Hongwei |
| Mr. Meng Hongwei. Source: EPA |
According to AP and SCMP, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) announced on October 6 that it had asked Chinese authorities to provide information related to the organization's President, Mr. Meng Hongwei, who appears to have disappeared during a visit to his home country of China.
The Lyon, France-based organization said in a short statement that Interpol "looks forward to an official response from the Chinese authorities to address concerns about the safety of its President." Interpol said it had used law enforcement channels to request information about Meng Hongwei's situation.
France has launched its own investigation. French officials say he boarded a plane and traveled to China, but the 64-year-old's next destination is unknown.
EU confident of reaching Brexit deal by end of 2018
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The EU and the UK are still in the process of negotiating Brexit. Photo: Getty |
On October 6, President of the European Council Donald Tusk said that it is likely that the UK and the European Union (EU) will reach an agreement on the UK's exit from the EU - abbreviated as Brexit - by the end of 2018. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference taking place in Poland, Mr. Donald Tusk emphasized that the UK and the EU will try to reach an agreement this October and he believes that the opportunity to have an agreement this year is completely feasible.
According to the plan, the UK will leave the EU on March 29, 2019. However, so far, the UK and the EU have not reached any agreement due to disagreements on the border issue between the British territory of Northern Ireland, as well as trade issues between the two sides.
World's largest fish market in Japan closes after 83 years of operation
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| Fish are brought to the market by suppliers for inspection before being officially sold to customers. Photo: AFP |
Tsukiji fish market held its final auction on the morning of October 6 before it officially closed and traders will have to move to another area.
Tsukiji Market was established in 1935 after the Great Kanto Earthquake that killed 142,000 people. From old warehouses, Tsukiji has become the busiest and most crowded market in Japan. After many decades of existence, Tsukiji Fish Market has deteriorated in both facilities and hygiene conditions. Therefore, the Tokyo government decided to close this fish market and move the traders to a modern market on the other side of Tokyo. However, the relocation did not receive the approval of many people, especially the traders at this 83-year-old fish market.
US passes BUILD Act to boost interests in Africa
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| Panorama of a US Congress session in Washington, DC. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
The “Building Better Utilization of Development Investments Act” (BUILD) recently passed by the US Congress is considered Washington's most important initiative for Africa under the administration of US President Donald Trump to date.
The BUILD Act not only encourages increased U.S. investment in Africa as a catalyst for economic development across the continent, but also helps increase competitiveness and reduce risk for U.S. companies in the growing and promising African market. The BUILD Act was passed with strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, and President Trump is expected to sign it into law.
Oil tanker crash in DR Congo, at least 50 people dead
At least 50 people were killed and 100 injured in a collision between an oil tanker and another vehicle in the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 6.
Kongo Central Deputy Governor Atou Matubuana Nkuluki said local authorities were doing their best to help the victims of the accident in Mbuta village, about 130km from the capital Kinshasa. About 100 people were injured, all with second-degree burns.
Poor road conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo are a major cause of traffic accidents.
More than 20 countries pledge to help victims of Indonesia earthquake and tsunami
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| Rescuers search for victims under the rubble after an earthquake and tsunami in Palu, Central Sulawesi province, Indonesia on October 3, 2018. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
On October 6, at the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency, Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir said that 22 countries have pledged to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi.
Indonesia has granted flight permits to planes from 18 countries to transport aid to disaster victims. Deputy Foreign Minister Fachir said air traffic at Mutiara Sis Al-Jufri airport in Palu was limited due to the damage to the airport that could not be repaired. Flights carrying foreign aid had to land in Balikpapan before waiting their turn to enter Palu. Some large planes had to unload their cargo and transfer to smaller planes.
Philippine police kill a terrorist
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Philippine Army. Photo: Reuters |
On October 6, Philippine police and military shot down a terrorist suspect behind two bombings in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat province, which killed four people and injured many others.
Speaking to the press, Philippine military spokesman General Arvin Encinas said the suspect was identified as Norodin Taib, a member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. The suspect was killed at 2 p.m. on October 6 (local time) during a terrorist hunt in a village in Shariff Aguak town, Maguindanao province.
Philippine authorities were forced to open fire and kill the suspect who was holed up inside a house believed to be filled with homemade grenades. Police also seized a homemade explosive device, two hand grenades, three cell phones, and many anti-government documents from the suspect’s home.
